RSS justifies Iftar parties by Muslim affiliate

The RSS on Tuesday justified the Iftar party organised by its affiliate Muslim Rashtriya Manch for the first time on the eve of Ramzan and said the programme was "supported and attended wholeheartedly" by people.

Nainital: The RSS on Tuesday justified the Iftar party organised by its affiliate Muslim Rashtriya Manch for the first time on the eve of Ramzan and said the programme was "supported and attended wholeheartedly" by people.

"Holding Iftar parties is a programme of Muslim Rashtriya Manch which is being supported and attended wholeheartedly by people. I would like to?know the locus standi of those opposing it," RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, Manohar Vaidya, said here.

He was replying to a question on the objections raised by the Hindu Mahasabha to Muslim Rashtriya?Manch holding Iftar parties during Ramzan.

Vaidya also denied any role of the RSS in publication of articles in its mouthpiece "Organiser" on the protests against appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as FTII chairman and the alleged conversion of IITs into centres of "anti-India" and "anti-Hindu" activities, saying they were not editorial pieces.

"Publication of independent articles in the magazine is a normal thing which depends on the collective decision of its editorial section. These articles must have been chosen on their merit. Tomorrow the counter-view may also be published," he said, adding RSS had no role to play in their publication.

Briefing reporters about a meeting of the organisation's Prant Pracharaks beginning here tomorrow, Vaidya said it is an event held annually to discuss the efficiency and effectiveness of RSS's programmes.

The meeting will be attended by senior?RSS leaders including its Chief Mohan Bhagwat, he said.

A whole range of issues is to be discussed including how to lure the internet generation to the Sangh and its activities, he said.